Active insecticide and fungicide



Patented Aug. 23, 1938 i I UNlTED STATESI PATENT OFFICE 13.3 i'illfiilfl i No Drawing. Application August 18, 1934,

' Serial No. 740,197

16 Claims. (01. nit-4s) This invention relates to novel typesofinsecticombinations of which the hydrocarbon comcides and fungicides,and particularly to such ponent is one element, which combinationsexmaterials available for spraying plants. hibit a controlled but onlytemporary dispersion In the prior art various hydrocarbon oils and inwater. distillates, such as petroleum distillates, have'been By theutilization of such hydrocarbon products utilized in insecticides andfungicides. But such of substantially uniform molecular size or whatprior art hydrocarbon products have always repmay be referred to assubstantially uniform resented heterogeneous mixtures of varioushymolecularity, the interference of larger with v drocarbon molecules,very materially varying insmaller molecules for example in connectionwith molecular size, so that even with. hydrocarbon those properties ofthese sprays, such as spreaddistillates of restricted boiling pointrange, such ability, absorption, or penetration is avoided, compositionswithin the boiling point range whereby substantially desirable and moreuniform chosen have represented a mixture of hydrocareffects aresecured. v bon materials of considerable variation in molec- These andmany other objects and advantages ular size. will appear from the moredetailed description set u The presence of widely varying hydrocarbonforth below in connection with this invention, it material insofar asmolecular size is concerned, I being understood that this more detaileddescriphas resulted in molecular aggregates being built tion is given byway of illustration and explanaup by combination, either chemical orphysical, tion and not by way of limitation, since various between thesmaller molecular materials with the changes may be made herein by thoseskilled in 20 larger molecular substances present. Such aggrethe'artwithout departing from the scope and gations of molecules whetherchemical or physical spirit oi the present invention. And while in incharacter materially affect the physical propconnection with that moredetailed description, erties of those hydrocarbon materials, andpartheories of operation or activity of these compoticularly is thistrue from the standpoint of sprays sitions may be given, it should beunderstood that for use on vegetation. The presence of hydrocarthepresent invention is not dependent upon any bonmaterials of widelyvarying molecular size, or particular theory of operation or activity,but of the aggregates built up from such materials of compositionsproduced in accordance with the varying molecular size, undesirablyaffect properpresent invention have given phenomenal results ties ofsuch hydrocarbon materials in insecticidal in actual use. v

and fungicidal sprays. Thus smaller molecular Accordingly, in carryingout the present invenbodies, which have a tendency to spread more tion,the hydrocarbon component or distillate rapidly over plant surfaces, areinterfered with ['which is used, is one in which the boiling point bythe presence of the larger molecular bodies or range is restricted,and-the hydrocarbon comeer gatcsponent of such limited boiling pointrange mates.

In accordance with the present invention, the rial is further limited toone in which the molehydrocarbon materials employed as components culespresent are of substantially uniform-size. of insecticidal or fungicidalsprays are utilized in Desirably, and for certain purposes in particulara condition in which ,they contain particles of as set forth below, theboiling point range chosen more 'uniform molecular size, so thatmolecular will be to'give the low boiling point range mate- 0interference of larger with smaller particles is rials. t

. thus avoided. And particularly is this true in Any desired method maybe employed for proconnection with the use of low boiling hydroducingthese hydrocarbon materials or'distillates carbon distillates ofparticles of relatively small of substantially uniform molecularity. Forexmolecular size, which are utilized in accordance ample, a hydrocarbondistillate is produced bewith the present invention for best resultswithtween any desired boiling point range, usually reout admixture ofother hydrocarbon materials or stricted for example to 244 to 290 -F.,and such distillates having materials of molecular size, pardistillateis continuously redistilled until a fracticularly variant from thehydrocarbon comtion is obtained relatively uniform as to size of ponentof the spray material. molecules. While in any ordinary single distilla-Particularly in carrying out the present-inventionbetween two givenboiling points a fraction is tion, the utilization of these features ofemployobtained of given molecularity, such fraction. is ment ofhydrocarbon distillates of substantially made up of materials varyingconsiderably in the uniform molecular size, particularly of small size,of molecules. Thus even when the boiling molecular size, is conductedin connection with point range is such as to designate the product as alow boiling point fraction, upon a single distillation, there isobtained a fraction which is made up of a considerable number ofrelatively small molecules with which there are present largermolecules, to which the smaller molecular particles become attached,either through the action of chemical or physical forces, and probablydue to the action of molecular surface phenomena. By a continuous overand over process of treatment, substantially uniform molecularity may beobtained in any such fraction, and when a low boil-- ing point fractionis being produced, such continuous treatment will ultimately result in aproduct having small molecules from which the larger molecules have beeneliminated,'thus resulting in a fraction consisting primarily of thesmaller molecules of substantially uniform size. It is such products ofsubstantially uniform molec'ularity that are particularly employed inconnection with the present invention in sprays for vegetation. Suchhydrocarbon products of substantially uniform molecularity may beemployed in lieu of hydrocarbon distillates of corresponding boilingpoint range, in prior art types of fungicides and insecticides. They areparticularly valuable components of spray compositions which containadded toxic ingredients, and particularly when the hydrocarbon materialis one of relatively low boiling point. Such low boiling pointhydrocarbon materials of substantially uniform molecularity presentsmall vmolecules'that are quite active in their spreading andpenetrating qualities, so that when they contact with insects present onvegetation, for example, they spread rapidly over the surface of theinsects and penetrate rapidly into the tracheal tubes, for example, dueto the activity of the small molecules present, and their freedomofinterference from larger molecular aggregates. If then, suchhydrocarbon products of substantially uniform molecularity are utilizedas the carrier for toxic substances, such as plant extracts, includingpyrethrins, nicotine, rotenone, etc., due to the rapidity of movement ofthe small molecules, they facilitate the operation of such toxicsubstances as the pyrethrins. The hydrocarbon molecules when of lowboiling point. are mobile and rapidly volatile, thus penetrating theintegument of an insect; and on evaporation leaving behindthesubstantially unvolatile pyrethrins or other toxic substancesdeposited at a multiple of strategic points where they exert theirdesired activity. In using such hydrocarbon products of substantiallyuniform molecularity, reference is thus being made to products which arefree from the molecular interference exhibited by the presence of a widevariety of molecules of different size. And whetheror not*the uniformaction in the present case is secured by means of substantially uniformmolecular size, orwhether the substantially uniform action which issecured is due to other phenomena, the term hydrocarbon material orhydrocarbon product of substantially uniform molecularity is intended tocover products having such characteristics] Utilizingthe hydrocarbonmaterials of substantially uniform molecularity, usually involves theiremployment with added components in the production of various types ofsprays, and particularly emulsions employed as sprays. In any suchutilization, the hydrocarbon product of substantially uniformmolecularity should not be utilized in'the presence of materials whichtend to build up undesirable molecuar aggregates, and thus to interferewith the desired properties of the hyreferred to.

drocarbon materias of substantially uniform carbon distillates ofsubstantially uniform molecularity should not be employed in,combinationscontaining ordinary heavy petroleum oils, such as theso-called White oils commonly used in spraying, due to the tendency ofthe heavier oil molecules to aggregate themselves with the lowermolecules of the petroleum distillates of substantially uniformmolecularity, and interfere with the characteristics of such materialsas are described above.

While the heavy petroleum oils should, there,- fore, not be employedwith a low boiling or light hydrocarbon distillate of substantiallyuniform molecularity, the latter may desirably be employed with theglyceride oils, particularly the vegetable and animal oils, since thetendency to aggregation of molecules is not exhibited between themoleculesof the glyceride oils and the molecules of-the hydrocarbondistillate of substantially uniform molecularity, particularly lowboiling distillates of this character. But whatever the explanation ofthe phenomena involved may be, a markedly greater toxic effect has beenfound by the utilization, for example, of the low boiling hydrocarbondistillate of substantially uniform Thus the low boiling pointhydromolecularity, that is a continuously redistilled fraction of lowboiling point range, with the glyceride oils than has been'found by suchcombinations of the low boiling distillates of substantially uniformmolecularity with the heavier petroleum oils. Some of the primarilyimportant advantages which follow from the utilization of the lowboiling hydrocarbon distillates of substantially uniform molecularity,with vegetable or animal oils, when the hydrocarbon is employed as thecarrier for a toxic material like pyrethrum extract are as follows: inthe first place, the hydrocarbon distillate of low boiling point rangeis made up largely of small and active molecules with the pyrethrins orother toxic ingredient in a medium which is able to move rapidly overthe surface of an insect and penetrate rapidly into the tracheal tubes,carrying the pyrethrins or other toxic agent with it; while in thesecond place, the use of a relatively small amount of such extract ofpyrethrins or other toxic agent in the hydrocarbon distillate of lowboiling point and substantially uniform .molecularity, with a relativelylarger amount of vegetable oil, which in such cases is a substantiallybland oil, corn oil may be specifically mentioned in this connection,results in a diluted extract in a suitable contact medium which preventsthe burning of foliage that prior art extracts molecularity of thehydrocarbon distillate, there is no interference with the activeperformance of the hydrocarbon material, either due to molecularaggregates or otherwise.

Thus a particular phase of the invention resides in the use of a limitedamount of a low boiling petroleum derivative with small active molecularconstitutio in a larger amount of a bland oil,

such as'corn oil with which the petroleum derivative is unable to efiectmolecular linkage, or any other combination either physical or chemicalwith insecticides and related materials for use in the form of sprays,in which a contact agent, such as an oil, is present in unstableemulsion or disperslon form, so that when sprayed on vegetation such asplants, the dispersion rapidly breaks down, and in fact, in someinstances, may have broken down between the time of leaving the spraynozzle and the actual deposition of the material on the plant surface,thus leaving a thin film of oil dispersed over the surface of the plantvcarrying the insect poison to all portions thereof, and similarlyspreadingthe oil in-thin film rapidly and completely over the surface ofan insect which may be present on such plant-surface.

A contact agent is employed for carrying toxic material to the-insectsand plants, which contact agent is desirably made up as a stockmaterial, that is dispersible in water readily to form a comparativelyunstable dispersion, which when sprayed upon plants and insects thereon,rapidly breaks down with the deposition of the contact material, not inthe form of globules, such as have been obtained through the use ofordinary emulsifying agents in the prior art practice, but the contactagent is deposited in the form of a more or less thin film carrying-theinsect poison that is spread rapidly and completely over the surface ofan insect or plant. The contact agentdesirably is anordinary vegetableor animal oil, that is, a

, widely distributed on the insects body and its appendages. And as aresult of such widely spread sensitiveareas on the insect, poisons areutilized which in contact with such sensitive areas of the insect, actas nerve poisons, that rapidly produce death of the insect in arelatively short space of time, due to such surface contact action.These featuresare particularly emphasized in connection with the presentinvention, but the invention is not limited thereto, and may be employedin connection withother types of insect poisons including the stomachpoisons, and also has application in connection withthe utilization offungicides, etc.

Desirably the spray material employed is in concentrated form,so that itmay serve as a stock material that maybe readily and rapidly diluted inwater in accordance with ordinary spraying practice, to possess thenecessary bulk for practical spray operations.- The stock material,however, is desirably produced as a substantially nonaqueous orwater-free material, whereby it is sub stantially stable and unafiectedby variation in atmospheric temperature, and thus is notfsusceptible tofreezing under any of the conditions which prevail in this country. Inproducing such stock. material, a combination is utilized of suchsubstantially water-insoluble contact agents, such as a vegetable oranimal oil, the desired insect poison and an emulsifying agent. Asparticularly pointed out below, the insect poison may very desirably bea toxic substance carried in a hydrocarbon distillate, and particularlya low boiling hydrocarbon distillate of substantially uniformmolecularity, and as in the case of ethrum extracts, the low boilinghydrocarbo distillate may be used as the extraction medi itself forextracting the pyrethrins or active principles from the pyrethrumflowers, and similar utilization may be made of such low boiling pointhydrocarbon materials of substantially uniform molec-.

ularity in producing extracts from other plant materials.

' Theinsect poisons employed are for most effective purposes chosen frommaterials that are selectively soluble in ihe contact agent of thecomposition. By the term selectively soluble as in water, that is, it ismaterially higher in its solu-' bility in the contact agent than it isin water. In prior art types of water dispersions and emulsions,

the insect poisons, such as nicotin sulphate which was employed, wassubstantially soluble in water wi h the result that when the spray isdeposited on the plant material, the insect poison being either whollyor largely soluble in the water, has a tendency to leave the contactmaterial, such as the oil in which it may have been originallyincorporated,

and to move over into the water phase. When this happens, it isimmediately deprived of the advantage which the contact or spreadingqualities of the contact agents, such as oil, offer. Thus for example,in prior art uses of a spray material consisting of -a mineral oilemulsion to which some nicotin sulphate had been added, in the dilutedspray material, the nicotin sulphate material is present largely orwholly in the water and is not able to realize its full potentialities,because it is not in permanent and selective solution in the oil. Theaction of the nicotin sulphate under such circumstances depends on thespreading quality.

rapidly and completely over the surfaces of the.

insect and plant, where it exhibils its maximum capability.

The stock material thus produced from the contact agent, such asvegctablco'r animal oil, and carrying an insect poison desirablyselectively soluble there.n,is incorporated with an emuls fyin'g agentso that ready dispersion in water. may be obtained. Desirably theemulsifying agent is an oil soluble material, or is one which is solublein the contact material employed. The admixture of such ingredients,including the Contact material, the insect poison, and the emulsifyingagent, produces stock material, which being substantially free fromwafer is not affected by freez ing or other natural temperaturevariations.

Die character of emulsifying agent employed,

easily, but does not take on the form of a permament emulsion, which istoo stable. And as noted, one of the important features of the presentinvention resides in the utilization of a combination which exhibits acontrolled but temporary dispersion in water. Thus a final dispersion ofthe stock material in water produces a spray material, in which thewater serves its usual function of diluent and carrier to permitspraying of the dilul ed stock material, but the suspension of the stockmaterial in water is only temporary, so that within a few minutes afterthe diluted material is sprayed, or in some cases depending on therapidity of the break down of the dispersion, between the time that thematerial leaves the spray gun and its actual deposition on the plant,rapid breaking down of the emulsion or dispersion takes place, and theoil is instantly free to flow completely over the surface carrying thetoxic material with it. The oil thus quickly reaches every part of anyinsect present on the plant material carrying the poison or toxicsubstance with it, and thereby bringing about the death of the insect ina new and eifective way.

As noted, the contact agent is desirably a vegee table or animal oil,among which there may be particularly mentioned corn oil, cottonseedoil,

peanut oil, lard oil, fish oil etc.

Among the insect poisons, a wide variety of materials may be included,and particularly exemplifying the nerve poisons, there may be mentionedthe extracts of pyrethrum flowers, and other oil-soluble extracts, suchas those of derris root, cub root, tobacco, or oil-soluble nervepoisons, such as the active principle of strychnia, as well as syntheticchemicals including various amine derivatives. A variety of materialsmay be used, and in the preferred instance, the nerve poison is usedwhich 'is retained in the oil to exert its toxic action on the sensorystructures of insect when applied to it in solution in such Theemulsifying agents employed are desirably oil-soluble emulsifyingagents, particularly when the contact agent is an oil. Such emulsifyingagents includesulphonated' castor oil, sulphonated vegetable or animaloils in general, triethylamine, potassium oleo-abietate, sodiumbisulphide, etc. These materials render the oil or similar contact agentsoluble in the water, or temporarily dispersible therein.

The toxic agent, when an insect poison, is frequently employed in theform of an extract of the desired material obtained by utilization of ahydrocarbon distillate. Thus pyrethrum flowers are frequently extractedwith a suitable low boiling petroleum fraction to produce the extract ofpyrethrins in the low boiling hydrocarbon dis tillate, In producing'such extract, the hydrocarbon material or distillate of substantiallyuniform molecularity may be employed, so that there is directly obtainedthe active principle of the plant extract in the low boiling hydrocarbonmaterial of substantially uniform molecularity. However, the pyrethrinsor similar material of toxic character may be obtained in any other wayand added to the hydrocarbon material of sub stantially uniformmolecularity.

Illustrating a stock material that may be employed in accordance withthe present invention,

the following is given, the parts being by volume: to parts of corn 011,there is added 13 parts of boiling hydrocarbon distillate fractioneffectively removes'from the pyrethrum flowers, the pyrethrins which arethe nerve poisons found in such flowers. This low boiling fraction is initself soluble in the vegetable oil referred to. To this intimate andcomplete solution of the toxic extractive in the vegetable oil, there isadded 2 parts of a suitable oil-soluble emulsifying agent, such assulphonated castor oil. The resultant mixture or solution is perfectlystable under all ordinary conditions.

This stock material may then be utilized for dilution with water, andthe addition of such a stock solution to water results in immediatedispersion of the stock material in the water. This dispersion prevailsfor a sufficient length of time to permit spraying. However, the minutedroplets lodging on the surface of an insect speedily lose thesurrounding film of the emulsifying agent in water, and immediately flowover the surface of the insect and coalesce, thus carrying the nervepoison to a multiple number of sensory structures of the insect. Such adilution, for example, at the rate of 1 part of the stock materialreferred to above to 600 parts of water will kill substantially ofordinary plant lice or aphids. Stronger concentrations may be utilizedto kill more resistant insects, and the materials of the presentinvention exhibit a hitherto unattainable margin of safety forapplication on plants and leaves, since the material although effectiveagainst many insects when used at as low, a concentration as 1 gallon in600 gallons of water, on the other hand has shown that itdoes not harmplants when used at a concentration as great as 30 gallons in 600gallons of water.

Furthermore, it has been found that the toxic agent, such as thepyrethrins, is much more eifective when utilized in connection with thehydrocarbon distillate of low boiling point and substantially uniformmolecularity.

The specific example given above is illustrative and not'limiting, sincethe various types of materialsexemplified herein may be employed inproducing effective insecticidal sprays in accordance with the presentinvention. The results obtained are new and unobvious. Various testshave demonstrated this to be true, of which the following may bementioned. A spray material containing vegetable oil alone, but in thesame proportions as used for example in the production of the stockmaterial set forth above, and at similar dilution with water, was foundto kill only 5% of a certain common species of plant lice or aphids.Similarly, a spray material containing the active principle of pyrethrumflowers in the same amount as that indicated for the exemplary materialabove, was found to kill only 10 to 15% of the aphids referred to.Further, a spray material containing the oil-soluble emulsifying agentin proportions referred to above for the stock material, and in theindicated dilution, was found not to be toxic to such plant lice oraphids at all. While, therefore, the individual ingredients did notexhibit a satisfactory toxicity to such plant lice or aphids at all, acombination of those materials in the manner indicated for the stockmaterial described above, and diluted 1 to 600 as indicated, developednew and unexpected potency from the action of the ingredients,

. be multiplied.

The invention is not limited to the specific in- .gredients orproportions of materials given, but

growth, and therefore produce a spray material having desirablefungicidal action. Thus, copper zeolite' may be incorporated in thestock material. Sulphur in its various forms'may be employed. Othersuitable forms of copper or sulphur compounds may be employed, andthereby the diluted spray gains the further advantage of fungicidalactivity, acting completely and evenly over the surface of leaves orother plant structures, so as to render the fungicide more effective ata given concentration. Fungicides themselves may be employed withoutnecessarily. including insecticidal components. Y

- In addition, the compositions may include substances, either insolution ,or in suspension in the oil or other contact agent, whichsubstances serve as a stomach poison for insects. Thus an ex-- tract ofderris or of cub may be added to serve as such stomach poison. Or afinely divided or colloidal arsenic compound may be employed. Similarlya finely divided or colloidal fluorine compound may be added. Suchmaterials being either in solution or in suspension in the oil or aother contact material, are so completely and uniformly distributed overthe surface of a leaf or other structure, that aleaf-eating insectcannot avoid securing a. lethal dose of the poison Working withnicotine, it has been .found that by use of the principles hereinaboveinvolved, it is possible to get an increase in performanceof nicotinecomparable with other toxic substances, such as that for the pyrethrins.For example, Black Leaf 40 (nicotine sulphate) is commonly used andrecommended at a concentration of 1 part to 800 parts of water forcontrol of common plant lice. Since Black Leaf 40 represents 40%nicotine, ,the above is equivalent to one part nicotine to 2,000 parts,of water. Utilizing the present invention with nicotine as the toxicsubstance, it has been found possible to get complete control of thesame plant lice with a concentration of 1 part of nicotine to 10,000parts v of diluted spray, and undoubtedly such control can be carried upto concentrations of only 1 'part to 12,500, or 1 part to 15,000. Aspecific example of such nicotine composition includes the following,the parts being by volume:

- Parts Corn oil 80 Low boiling petroleum derivative 20 Nicotine (98%pure ;g 2 Dispersing agent 2 The above composition is completely safe onplants, even at concentrations-of 3, 4 or 5%. At

' a concentration of of 1% it effects about 100% kill of common plantlice.

As noted, the proportions may vary within considerable limits inconnection with the particular examples given above, and other examples.employing these materials in accordance with the limits, dependingonthe killing strength desired.

The proportion of dispersing agent may vary from 1 to 5% of thecompleted concentrate.

While the low boiling petroleum derivatives have been particularly.emphasized for use as extracting agents for the pyrethrins, otherextracts may be made, as for example, petroleum ether extract ofpyrethrum may be used in place of the low boiling petroleum derivative.

A further. example of the utilization of the pyrethrins containingcomposition and results secured is the following: with a .stockconcentrated solution containing 80 parts corn oil, 20

parts low boiling petroleum fraction, and 2 parts of the dispersingagent with 3% of pyrethrins added to such stools, the following resultswere obtained: diluting the stock at the rate of 1 part to 150 parts ofwater (so that the resulting diluted spray actually contains pyrethrinsat the rate of 02%) efiective control of the black-head fire worm ofcranberries was secured. Ordinary pyrethrum sprays available in theprior art, when used at a'concentration of even 032% pyrethrins, failedto give any control of the same insect.

A further important utilization of-the present invention involves theutilization of the principles of the present invention with thesulphurcontaining compositions. Thus the oil sprays of Y the presentinvention involving combinations of the hydrocarbon distiliates withglyceride oils can be used safely with sulphur. Comparison of suchsprays with prior art sulphur sprays may'well be made. No other oilspray on the market can be used safely with sulphur. In fact, the dangerof the combination is so great that it results in serious defoliationofplants if the oil spray has been applied within a week or two aftersulphur has been used. With the. new spray, however, safety is secured.Plants as tender as roses were heavily coated with sulphur and thenimmediately sprayed with the new spray, using it at the excessiveconcentration of 2%. No trace of injury resulted'. It may be that thecorn oil or similar 011 being used generally as the larger part of thebody of the spray, acts as a preventive or protecting agent in some way.If a petroleum distillate alone were being used, chemical combinationwith the sulphur would resultwith re-. sultant plant injury. By havingthe bland oil present with the petroleum derivative, such bland larityas a carrier for a toxic agent, or on a combination of these features,obtains what has long been sought but never adequately achieved in theart, namely a high toxicity against insects or fungi combined withextreme safety on plants, and by the use of new and inexpensivematerials.

Having thus set forth my invention, I claim:

1. A fungicideor insecticide composition cons taining a liquid petroleumhydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon components of which are of substantiallyuniform molecular size and a glyceride oil.

2. A fungicide or insecticide composition con-. taining a low boilinghydrocarbon distillate of substantially uniform molecular size, and aglyceride oil.

3. A'fungicide or insecticide composition cantaininga liquid'petroleumhydrocarbon, the .137-

drocarbon components of which are of substantially uniform molecularsize, a glyceride oil, and a toxic fungicidal or insecticidal component.

4. A fungicide or insecticide composition containing a hydrocarbondistillate of relatively uniform molecular size and low boiling pointrange, a glyceride oil, and a toxic fungicidal or insecticidalcomponent.

5. A fungicide or insecticide composition containing a liquid petroleumhydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon components of which are of substantiallyuniform molecular size, a glyceride oil, and a contact insecticide.

6. A fungicide or insecticide composition con-.

taining a hydrocarbon distillate of substantially uniform molecular sizeand of substantially low boiling point, a glyceride oil, and a contactinsecticide.

'7. A fungicide or insecticide composition containing an insect poisonplant extract in a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, the hydrocarboncomponents of which are of substantially uniform molecular size, andaglyceride' oil.

8. A fungicide or insecticide composition containing an insect poisonplant extract in a low boiling hydrocarbon distillate of substantiallyuniform molecular size, and a glycerlde oil.

9. A non-aqueous fungicide or insecticide composition containing ahydrocarbon distillate of substantially uniform molecular size yieldingsubstantial diffusion on plant surfaces, and a glyceride oil.

10. A non-aqueous fungicide or insecticide composition containing a lowboiling hydrocarbon distillate of substantially uniform molecular sizeand a glyceride oil.

11. A substantially non-aqueous fungicide or insecticide compositioncontaining an insect poison plant extract in a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon components of which are of substantially uniformmolecular size, and a giyceride oil.

12. A substantially non-aqueous fungicide or insecticide compositioncontaining a lowboiling hydrocarbon distillate of substantially uniformmolecular size carrying an insect poison plant extract, and a glycerideoil.

13. As an insecticide, a combination of a glyceride oil, an insectpoison plant extract in a liquid petroleum hydrocarbon, the hydrocarboncomponents of which are of substantially uniform molecular size, and anoil-soluble emulsifying agent, in substantially unstable dispersion inwater.

14. A fungicide or insecticide composition containing a liquid petroleumhydrocarbon, the hydrocarbon components of which are of substantiallyuniform molecular size, and a glyc'eride oil, the hydrocarbon materialconstituting a minor proportion of the composition.

15. A fungicide or insecticide composition containing a bland oilselected from the class consisting of vegetable and animal oils, an oilsoluble insect poison, a hydrocarbon distillate, the hydrocarboncomponents of which are of substantially uniform molecular size, and anoil soluble emulsifying agent.

16. A fungicide or insecticide composition containing a glyceride oil,an oil soluble insect poison, a hydrocarbon distillate, the hydrocarboncomponents of which are of substantially uniform molecular size, and anoil soluble emulsifying agent, the constituents being present inproportions to yield an unstable dispersion in water.

WALTER C. OKANE.

